The 25 Songs That You Absolutely Cannot Leave off Your Wedding Playlist

Your wedding party playlist: often a last minute decision, but one that can make or break your wedding reception. You have ummm’d and ahhhhhh’d over thedress, the venue, thecaterers, thecake… but what matters most on the day is, of course, the celebration of your marriage (namely, the PARTY).

Photo: Manu Prats

Especially if everything else has gone to plan. Your ceremony was flawless, the weather was glorious, no-one complained about the food… now it’s time to really let your hair down and enjoy the final hours of your special day with some merry dancing.

Yes, it may take a good DJ, but that’s no excuse. Any DJ, of any era, in any destination, can play this definitive list of playlist bangers that will get every one of your guests in the mood – so take note:

*Disclaimer: Justin Bieber is not included

The Classics:

You probably already have these songs in mind. They ensure the maximum level of tone-deaf-singing-along possible. Think group hugs, swaying limbs and a few fist pumps.

Image via Shutterstock – pressmaster

1. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader

2. The Killers – Mr Brightside

3. Everybody Dance – Chic

4. Fluorescent Adolescent – Arctic Monkeys

5. Valerie – Amy Winehouse

For the Ladies:

Move over boys, the bridal entourage need their girly dancing session. By this point, they have most likely taken off theirkillerheels, and are ready to take centre stage with a glass of champagne in hand. Watch this space.

Image via Shutterstock – IvashStudio

6. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

7. Single Ladies – Beyonce

8. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift (or any of her songs, really.)

8. Wannabe – Spice Girls

9. I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross

For the Romantics:

Now it’s the moment in the evening where you realise that no one actually really knows how to slow dance, but even still, grab someone close, and stumble over each other’s feet for a few soppy songs.

Image via Shutterstock – Oleggg

10. Wonderwall – Oasis

11. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

12. Angels – Robbie Williams / You’re Beautiful – James Blunt (you only need one of these, to be honest.)

For the incredible dancing potential:

Whether for twerking or doing the macarena, these songs will get all types up on the dance floor for a boogie.

Image via Shutterstock – pressmaster

13. Bump & Grind – R Kelly

14. Crazy in Love – Beyonce + Jay Z

15. Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira

16. Mambo No.5 – Lou Bega

17. Cha Cha Slide – Mr C The Slide Man

18. Macarena – Los Del Río

19. Hey Ya! – Outkast

Because it’s a Wedding:

Then there are those songs that really fit a wedding, they put all eyes on the bride or the event itself…

Image via Shutterstock – Standret

20. Marry You – Bruno Mars

21. Crashed the Wedding – Busted

22. She’s So Lovely – Scouting For Girls

23. Rude – Magic

24. Feel The Love – Rudimental ft. John Newman

To finish the night:

Then, as people start to say their goodbyes and filter out of the now messy-looking venue… there’s only one song that the survivors left on the dance floor want to hear:

Image via Shutterstock – IvashStudio

25. Heroes – David Bowie

So there you have our 25 top bangers for your big day! You can thank us later for helping you throw the shindig of a lifetime. Your guests will be entertained all night long, and the memories made that night over a drunken jive with an unknown guest will long live on in their minds. Cheers to that!

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